Texans vs. Saints GAMEDAY Preview: C.J. Stroud Winning Starting QB Job?

The Houston Texans will be watching more than just C.J. Stroud when they take on the New Orleans Saints.

Until Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans finally names a starting quarterback for Week 1, rookie C.J. Stroud will get all the attention. He has started each of the first two preseason games for Houston, and will take the first snaps under center on Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints.

There are still questions to be answered in the Texans’ final preseason game. Ryans urged fans and media to spread some of their attention elsewhere.

“Nobody ever asks me who’s starting at linebacker or starting at safety, who’s going out there first,” Ryans joked on Wednesday. “Everybody is vying for a job here … competition is all over our team.”

With a young team, implementing a winning culture is perhaps Ryans’ top priority. Of course, that means not handing the job to Stroud. The second-overall pick struggled in his debut against the New England Patriots, but looked better last week against the Miami Dolphins, despite a lack of production.

Ryans is approaching his unproven roster head-on, but noted he isn’t going around telling each starter that they won their job.

“Our guys, they don’t need to be worried about that,” he said. “If they’re worried about being the best at their craft, and doing the best job they can … they’ll separate themselves.”

Houston’s starters will likely play two series on Sunday night in an effort to cement themselves atop the depth chart.

WHAT: Houston Texans (1-1) vs New Orleans Saints (2-0)

WHERE: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA (83,000)

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, 7 p.m. (CDT)

TELEVISION: FOX

RADIO: SportsRadio 610 AM, The Bull 100.3 FM, Mega 101 FM, Texans app

ODDS: Texans +0.5 (-105, +105 moneyline), Total: 37.5 (o -111/u -111)

Make sure to follow along with in-game updates at Texans Daily!

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You can follow Anthony Licciardi on Twitter @ALiccScouting.

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